Skip to Content
Streetsblog California home
Streetsblog California home
Log In
Streetsblog SF

Major Car Restrictions, Large “Safety Zones” Come to Lower Market Street

SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin announcing private auto restrictions on Market yesterday. Photo: SFMTA
SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin announcing private auto restrictions on Market yesterday. Photo: SFMTA
false

At long last, private automobiles are prohibited from turning on to most of lower Market Street downtown. City officials implemented the change yesterday with a press conference in front of one of two large "safety zones" -- painted bulb-outs -- that were also completed as part of the "Safer Market Street" project.

SFMTA Director Ed Reiskin said broad support for getting cars off Market "shows how far we've come in San Francisco." Even the SF Chronicle called it "a sensible shift" in an editorial today. "San Francisco’s downtown needs to be a safe place that accommodates more than just cars zipping through intersections."

"I think there's been an incredible amount of consensus in City Hall and around Vision Zero and Safer Market Street," said Judson True, chief of staff for Assemblyman David Chiu, who pushed for a car-free Market on the Board of Supervisors. "We have to take more and more steps in this direction."

Parking control officers were out enforcing the turn bans today, as ABC 7 reported.

The city's largest "safety zones," as the SFMTA calls them, were installed on corners at Grant and Mason streets.

See more coverage of the turn restrictions from ABC, the SF Examiner, the Chronicle, NBC, and Hoodline.

A "safety zone" at Market and Grant Streets. Photo: SFMTA
A "safety zone" at Market and Grant Streets. Photo: SFMTA
false
Another at Market and Mason Streets. Photo: Aaron Bialick
Another at Market and Mason Streets. Photo: Aaron Bialick
false

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog California

Covina to Begin Construction on Recreation Village

The new facility will be next to the Metrolink station and include a variety of opportunities for fitness and amusement

July 26, 2024

Talking Headways Podcast: Have Cities Run Out of Land?

Chris Redfearn of USC and Anthony Orlando of Cal Poly Pomona on why "pro-business" Texas housing markets are catching up to "pro-regulation" California and what it might mean for future city growth.

July 26, 2024

Friday’s Headlines

Oakland identifies sites for speed camera pilot; E-bike tariffs conflict with US climate policy; Pollution spikes around warehouses, shipping hubs; More

July 26, 2024

What the Heck is Going on with the State E-bike Incentive Program?

The program's launch has been delayed for two years, and currently "there is no specific timeline" for it. Plus the administrator, Pedal Ahead, is getting dragged, but details are vague

July 26, 2024

The Paris Plan for Olympic Traffic? Build More Bike Lanes

A push to make Paris fully bikable for the Olympics is already paying dividends long before the opening ceremonies.

July 25, 2024
See all posts